Dems Criticize Perry over Secession

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- GOP Gov. Rick Perry today insisted his remarks about secession were not intended as an argument that Texas should leave the union.

But Democrats still called his comments reckless and anti-American.

Perry's comments following an anti-tax "tea party" never advocated Texas breaking away from the U.S. But the governor did suggest Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to secede.

Democratic Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco today said some people associate talk of secession with racial division and the Civil War and that Perry should disavow any notion of seceding.

Democrats want a House resolution expressing "complete and total disagreement with any fringe element advocating the 'secession' of Texas or any other state from our one and indivisible Union."